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Quad IIc, Autoprogram

Quad IIc, Autoprogram

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I am running a Quad IIc pick and place machine and have so ... - Jul 25, 2000 by

Hi Vicky, seems to be always the same dilemma with CAD peo... - Jul 25, 2000 by Wolfgang Busko

Vicki, Ask your CAD guys to give you the centroid X-Y data... - Jul 25, 2000 by Paul Wright

I am very familiar with AutoProgram and understand the defa... - Jul 25, 2000 by

Vicki: The other responders make good points. Taking a sl... - Jul 25, 2000 by davef

Once you have those centroid-data you can do almost everyth... - Jul 26, 2000 by Wolfgang Busko

Once having those centroid-data using a spreadsheet to conv... - Jul 26, 2000 by Wolfgang Busko

Thanks for the tips. I went into Tango and created a couple... - Jul 26, 2000 by

Vicki J.

#3463

Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 25 July, 2000

I am running a Quad IIc pick and place machine and have so far had to manually set up my board programs through the Central Controller. We have Autoprogram, but have been unable to come up with a compatable asciII CAD file to use it. R&D is using Tango 2.3 (DOS ver.) and ORCAD ver. 9. Can anyone help? Thanks!

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Wolfgang Busko

#3464

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 25 July, 2000

Hi Vicky,

seems to be always the same dilemma with CAD people. My experience is that they can provide data in all possible formats, sometimes using scripts they write to create whatever output is needed. It needs a little diplomacy and the exact format you wish to be created. Most of them are proud to be helpful, so express your thanks to them and let them feel what a great help they are just for the future. They often hear only criticism especially from the assembly and that doesn�t make them very cooperative so work on it.

M2C

Wolfgang

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Paul Wright

#3465

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 25 July, 2000

Vicki,

Ask your CAD guys to give you the centroid X-Y data with reference designators in ASCII format. Then import that file into Excel. You can then change the fields and data into the format you need. Make sure you left justify the columns. After you get into the format you need, save as a space delimited file (*.prn) to import into Auto Program. You still may need to change column width and locations in Auto Program.

Good Luck

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Bob Miklosey

#3466

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 25 July, 2000

I am very familiar with AutoProgram and understand the default import formats for the software. AutoProgram wants a centroid file containing part number, ref des., X, Y, and theta. AutoProgram will not directly import an ASCII cad file. However, CircuitCAM is a perfect medium for translating your Tango and OrCad files into the default AutoProgram format. It will calculate the correct theta coordinates for each placement and also include the fiducial coordinates. CircuitCAM is available through Quad or you can respond to my e-mail for additional information

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davef

#3467

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 25 July, 2000

Vicki: The other responders make good points. Taking a slightly different, slightly more aggressive tact, you might try something like this: * Click on ... http://www.ssafl.com/bat_prod.htm ... and buy a unit of the proper size to fit your stature and style. * After your take delivery, go to the designer�s cube, expend the unit, and Tonya Harding his / her tube. * Push your disheveled hair from your forehead, smile, collapse the unit, and say "Wanna do lunch? I need a favor."

That'll work!!!

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Wolfgang Busko

#3468

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 26 July, 2000

Once you have those centroid-data you can do almost everything with them in a spreadsheet. I did it over the years many times getting what I needed. Just needs a little brainwork and a great knowledge of your p�n�p equipments configuration. You have to decide if this manual approach satisfies your needs.

Good luck

Wolfgang

PS: Dave�s approach seems to be the most challanging in this thread yet. Let us know if you decide to do it that way and if it helped to get the data.

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Wolfgang Busko

#3469

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 26 July, 2000

Once having those centroid-data using a spreadsheet to convert them to what ever I needed worked fine for me in many cases over years. It just needs a little brainwork and a good knowledge of machine configuration. CAM-software might do the job as well or more efficient but you have to think about ROI.

Good luck Wolfgang

PS: Dave�s approach seems to be the most challenging in this thread yet. Let us know if you decide to do it that way and what the results are. For us in Germany it�s against the law.

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Vicki J

#3470

Re: Quad IIc, Autoprogram | 26 July, 2000

Thanks for the tips. I went into Tango and created a couple of report files and I'm working in Excel to combine them and change the fields around. Unfortunately, I have to add the part numbers because Tango doesn't include them. Hopefully it will import O.K., although this may be almost as much work as manual programming.

Thanks again! Vicki

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